Elsie Klassen

Elsie Elizabeth Loewen, the daughter of John F. and Elizabeth (Dick) Loewen was born on November 26, 1918, at Mountain Lake, MN. Elsie received her education in Mountain Lake Public Schools and graduated from the Mountain Lake High School. On May 16, 1937, Elsie was baptized upon confession of her faith at the First Mennonite Church in Mountain Lake, where she remained a life long member. Elsie was united in marriage to Arnold G. Klassen on July 1, 1938 in Mountain Lake. They made their home and farmed together in the Mountain Lake area. Elsie helped with the farm work and was a bookkeeper and helper in Arnold's other business interests. Arnold died on December 6, 1977. Elsie was active in her church and taught Sunday School to all ages over the years. She hosted two Mennonite Central Committee workers, volunteered at the Good Samaritan Village for many years, and was an active volunteer at the Care and Share Shop. Elsie enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, and raising chickens. She also had the opportunity to travel to Europe. Elsie entered the Good Samaritan Village in June 1997, and this is where she died on Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at the age of 88 years. Elsie is survived by her children, Darlene Dick of N. Newton, KS, Wilma Schroeder and her husband Gary of Roseville, MN, and Ronald and his wife Suzie of Mountain Lake; a daughter-in-law, Kathy Klassen of Inver Grove Heights, MN; nine grandchildren; three step grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; four step great grandchildren; two sisters, Verna Fast of Tahlequah, OK, and Dorothy Loewen of Windom, MN; a brother, Ervin Loewen and his wife Frances of Mountain Lake; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Arnold G. Klassen; a son, Richard Klassen; two sisters, Arlene Loewen and Evelyn Klassen; and two brothers-in-law, Art Fast and Erwin Klassen.